Street children, vagrants and beggars<\/p>\n
From Neraca<\/p>\n
Greater Jakarta reportedly has 12,630 street children. Social
\norganizations take 4,160 of them under their protection, while a
\nUNDP program and the government have 1,084 in their care.<\/p>\n
In this month of Ramadhan, the number of street children has
\nincreased. Many of them accost motor vehicles asking for money,
\nwhile making \"music\" with bottle caps nailed to a piece of wood.
\nAnd then there are the vagrants and beggars who have come to the
\ncapital to try their luck.<\/p>\n
One day, I saw a pathetic-looking young woman carrying an
\ninfant cleaning windshields while the vehicles were stopped at
\ntraffic lights. Both mother and child might have just started
\nthis because their skin was still smooth and clean. Maybe her
\nhusband had just been laid off.<\/p>\n
Some street children also have a clear complexion and their
\nactions are still awkward. They, too, may have just started
\nbegging because they have dropped out of school or they need to
\nearn extra pocket money.<\/p>\n
Many of these problems are getting the government's attention,
\nas well as people who can still afford to have three meals a day.<\/p>\n
ABDILLAH KAMIL<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/street-children-vagrants-and-beggars-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }